About Atlas – Atlas Travel and Study Abroad

Atlas Travel and Study Abroad is a host and coordinating service for 3 unique programs in Costa Rica:

Atlas’ GAP Y ear Program – Atlas’ GAP Year program was launched in Fall of 2022 in partnership with MissionGo. This program offers two 90 day semesters in Costa Rica where high school graduates, ages 17-22, can study Spanish and Biblical studies as well as minister in Costa Rican communities.
College Study Abroad Courses – Atlas collaborates with colleges in the United States to design educational experiences in Costa Rica for their students’ course.
Short-Term Trips – Atlas organizes and hosts short-term trips for Christian high schools, colleges, churches and para-church ministries that include both ministry and adventure in Costa Rica.

For each of Atlas’ programs, Atlas is responsible for all logistics, such as customizing a trip itinerary for each group’s specific needs, transportation, lodging, meals and excursions. Atlas is located in Santo Domingo, Heredia, in Costa Rica.

Our Story

In 2021, Andy Gordley started Atlas Travel and Study Abroad as a family business. He had been a missionary for over twenty years and during the pandemic saw an opportunity to merge his love for serving God with a sustainable overseas business that could support its own ministry ventures. Andy envisioned groups from colleges, high schools and churches coming down to Costa Rica to study as well as to grow spiritually. A few months into running the business, Andy realized that he also wanted to relaunch the GAP program. He had been the director of a GAP program in San Jose, Costa Rica for 10 years and loved it. He knew that the program made a huge impact in many lives. He enlisted the help of his previous partner, Jeff Hackett, and the two of them worked to open the GAP Year Program in the Fall of 2022.

Meet our Staff

Andy Gordley is the director of Atlas Travel and Study Abroad. He oversees the Gap Year Program. He and Tina have 6 children and have been married for 22 years. They have lived in Costa Rica for 12 years. Andy and Tina are graduates from Lancaster Bible College.

Andy Gordley is the director of Atlas Travel and Study Abroad. He oversees the Gap Year Program. They have 6 children and have been married for 22 years. They have lived in Costa Rica for 12 years. Andy and Tina are graduates from Lancaster Bible College.

Evan and Nancy Esh met as Gap students in 2014 and were married in 2018. They went on to graduate from Lancaster Bible College and are now serving as Atlas’ Assistant Directors of the Gap Year Program. They have an infant son named Malachi.

Claire Stevens serves as Atlas’ Student Life Director for the Gap Year Program. She graduated from Lee University in 2022 with a degree in TESOL.

Dan Tyson serves as an intern for Atlas Travel and Study Abroad, next year he has plans to return as a Student Life Director for the GAP Year Program. Dan is currently studying online at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Meet our employees

L-R: Isabel Martínez (cleaning), Diana Chacón (cleaning and kitchen), Vivian Madrigal (cook), and Adolfo Sánchez (caretaker)

“Three members of our team, plus myself, had food allergies/preferences (ranging from Celiac Disease to Vegetarian) and were unsure how we would navigate those restrictions in another country. However, the Atlas team far exceeded all of our expectations and made sure that we had food safely prepared with all of our needs met at every meal. More than that, the love and understanding that was shown to us eased all of our worries regarding food for the week and allowed us to be able to focus on what really mattered. We love the Atlas team and miss their cooking!! Thank you for an unforgettable week.”

Our Story

Meet our Staff

Meet our employees

Atlas Building Project